How to Join the Alabama Organ Donation Registry: Everything You Need to Know
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Joining the Alabama organ donation registry might give you the opportunity to save lives. Alabama works with a dedicated organ donation organization, Legacy of Hope, to coordinate organ donations. They are responsible for tracking donor registrations and connecting donors with recipients.
Keep reading to learn about Alabama organ donation, how to register as an organ donor, and some common myths about organ donation. Then, use EverQuote to find auto insurance in Alabama to meet all driver requirements.
Understanding Organ Donation
The primary organizer of organ donation service in Alabama is Legacy of Hope (formerly known as the Alabama Organ Center). According to Legacy of Hope, over 1,200 people in Alabama are currently waiting for organs. One donor can save up to eight lives and help many others through tissue donation.
Legacy of Hope also partners with Donate Life America to keep track of donors through the National Donate Life Registry. When you select “yes” for organ donation at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), you’ll have a heart icon on your driver’s license and be listed on the national registry at RegisterMe.org.
Legacy of Hope coordinates donations at UAB Hospital, Children’s of Alabama, and the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
How To Register as an Organ Donor
There are a few different ways you can register as an organ and tissue donor in Alabama: online, over the phone, and in person.
The online donor registration process is very simple for Alabama residents. You can use the form on the Legacy of Hope website. It only requires your name, address, email address, date of birth, the last four digits of your Social Security number, and gender. You can also call Legacy of Hope at (800) 252-3677 to register or to learn more about organ donation in Alabama.
If you would prefer to register as an organ donor in person, you can do so at the DMV. When you are getting a new license or renewing a current one, you can simply opt into organ donation on the driver’s license forms. The donor registry updates once a week and will include your name soon after you submit your DMV paperwork.
All of these options are a legal document of gift. This allows your eligible organs and tissues to be donated upon your death for transplant surgeries, therapy, research, and educational purposes.
How To Update Your Donor Information
Once you are listed on the registry at RegisterMe.org, you can use the site to update your donor information. You must first search for your record; then you can update your address and change your donor preferences.
If you have trouble updating your donor registration online, you can contact Legacy of Hope.
Organ Donation Events
Legacy of Hope hosts events to celebrate donor families and donor recipients, as well as to bring awareness to the process of organ donation. Their annual Celebration of Life Picnic allows donors and recipients and their families to gather and offer support to one another. The annual Donor Dash for Life 5K gathers financial donations for awareness programs in Alabama.
You can check the Legacy for Hope website to learn about upcoming events.
Myths and Misconceptions About Organ Donation
Some people have preconceived notions about organ donation that stop them from registering as a donor. They might fear that religious beliefs, age, or health will prevent them from being eligible for donation. In fact, most people can donate.
Most religions accept organ donation and praise it as an act of charity. This includes Catholicism, Islam, and Buddhism, as well as many branches of Judaism and Protestantism.
Age also doesn’t typically restrict organ donation eligibility. People younger than 18 can register as organ donors, although parents or guardians will be responsible for making the final decision if the donor should die before they turn 18. In addition, older people can donate at any age as long as their organs are deemed healthy.
Finally, people with health issues may be eligible. Even if some of your organs are affected by your medical condition, you may still be able to donate other organs or tissues.
Ready to make a difference? Join the Alabama Organ Donation Registry today and consider checking your car insurance with a free quote!
Next time you renew your Alabama license, consider saying “yes” to organ donation. In case of an event such as a car accident, first responders and healthcare providers will easily be able to tell that you are willing to donate your organs and save lives.
In any accident, it’s also crucial that your Alabama car insurance is up to date. Compare policies and rates from multiple companies in your area by entering your ZIP code into EverQuote’s free online quote comparison tool.